The EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary) program is a two-quarter program designed to prepare the student for employment as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary to the dentists.
This program is designed for the dental assistants who have graduated from a CODA (American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited dental assisting program OR has worked full time as a dental assistant in either general or pediatric dentistry for at least 2 years and successfully completes the Dental Assisting National Board examination. Our EFDA program covers content that prepares students to pass both a written and a clinical examination to become a Washington State Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA). Upon passing board examinations, graduates can seek licensure to become Washington State EFDAs.
Breaking Ground on Your Pathway
Plan Your Courses
Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you.
You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.
Placement
Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.
SCC’s (Spokane Community College) EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary) program is a two-quarter program providing dental assistants with the knowledge and skills required to perform expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. The program is designed to prepare students for an advanced career in the dental field.
This program is specifically designed for the dental assistant who has graduated from a school that is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or has successfully completed the DANB - CDA (Dental Assisting National Board – Certified Dental Assistant) examination. Currently, we are not accredited to teach restorative techniques to dental hygienists.
The EFDA program includes a combination of classroom lectures, laboratory exercises, and clinical experiences. Students learn the theory and practice of dental care, including dental anatomy, oral pathology, pharmacology, dental materials, and sterilization and infection control procedures. They also receive specialized training in expanded functions procedures, such as placing and contouring restorative materials (composite, amalgam, and glass ionomer), taking final impressions (both traditional and computer generated), placing and removing temporary restorations, and placing and removing rubber dams.
In addition to technical skills, the EFDA program emphasizes communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Students learn to work effectively as members of the oral healthcare team and other support staff. They also learn to communicate effectively with patients, including active listening, clear and concise language, appropriate use of nonverbal communication and showing empathy and inclusion to all in the dental setting.
The EFDA program is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education that includes not only technical skills but also professionalism, ethics, and inclusion. Students learn the importance of ethical and professional behavior, as well as their responsibility to the community. They are encouraged to participate in community service and outreach programs, and to appreciate self-assessment and lifelong learning for continual professional growth and development.
Upon completion of the EFDA program, graduates are eligible to take the WARE (Washington State Restorative) written examination provided by DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) and the restorative clinical examination provided by WREB (Western Regional Examining Board). Graduates may find employment in a variety of dental settings, including private practices, community clinics, prison facilities and hospital dental departments.
Students must apply to the EFDA program and meet specific entrance criteria, including copy of; required vaccinations, a national background check, bloodborne pathogens certification (7-9 hour course), and CPR certification requirements. Applicants must hold a current and unencumbered dental assistant registration in WA State.
Program Map for
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Total Program Credits: 33
Program Courses
First Quarter
Course ID
Course Title
Credits
EFDA 141
Dental Assisting Review
5
EFDA 142
Dental Assisting Review Lab
2
EFDA 143
Fundamentals of Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary
2
EFDA 144
Amalgam Restorations
2
EFDA 145
Amalgam Restorations Lab
4
Second Quarter
Course ID
Course Title
Credits
EFDA 151
Composite Restorations
2
EFDA 152
Composite Restorations Lab
4
EFDA 153
Dental Impressions
2
EFDA 154
Dental Impressions Lab
2
EFDA 155
Clinical Practice
5
EFDA 156
Board Exam Preparation
1
EFDA 157
Board Exam Preparation Lab
2
- An active email account you regularly check is required
- Each required course for graduation must be completed with a 2.0 grade or better before proceeding to the next quarter.
- Students may repeat an advanced EFDA course once, but it must be repeated within two years
- Students following pathway II who have not completed their DANB Certified Dental Assistant exam will be required to do so by the end of the first quarter, or they will be dropped from the program. This will be at the expense of the student.
Estimated costs for completing this program
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 3,485
$ 4,458
$ 7,742
Course Fees
$ 1,402
$ 1,402
$ 1,402
Institutional Fees
$ 224
$ 224
$ 1,065
Supplies and Materials
$ 1,600
$ 1,600
$ 1,600
Total Costs
$ 6,711
$ 7,684
$ 11,809
Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.
This program is accredited by the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission.
Students who successfully complete the EFDA program are eligible to take the Washington State Restorative Exam (WARE) and the Western Regional Restorative Examination Board (WREB) for licensure to become an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary.
Enrollment in the EFDA program is limited to 12 students in the Fall and the Spring. The admissions process is a waitlist. It’s first come first served for candidates who qualify to enter the EFDA program. Email: kammi.whitmire@scc.spokane.edu to have your name placed on the waitlist after completing this online application.
Students having their DANB-CDA exam completed is not necessary to have their name added to the EFDA waitlist. Students can complete the DANB-CDA exam during the first quarter of the EFDA program, although students with a credential from a CODA accredited dental assisting program with current work experience or students with their completed DANB Certified Dental Assistant will be prioritized for entry into the program.
Please note: It is strongly recommended that students seek academic consulting from EFDA Program Director prior to having name placed on waitlist.
Admission Requirements/Recommendations
Students are only admitted from a waitlist of qualified students who have completed at least 2 years of full-time dental assisting work experience in general or pediatric dentistry and sit for the DANB-CDA (Dental Assisting National Board-Certified Dental Assistant) exam which requires a minimum of 3500 hours of verifiable current work experience accrued over at least two years but no more than four. OR those who have a Dental Assisting certificate or degree from an ADA (American Dental Association), CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) program.
All prospective students are required to complete our online program form and submit all their materials before they are added to the waitlist and admitted to the program. Students with a credential from a CODA accredited Dental Assisting program with current work experience or students with their completed DANB Certified Dental Assistant will be prioritized. Once admitted, there are additional program requirements students must meet to continue the program
It is strongly recommended that students seek academic consulting from the EFDA program director prior to being placed on the waitlist.
Students must be on one of two pathways:
- Pathway I
- You are a graduate of a CODA accredited dental assisting program and have a current Washington state dental assisting registration working full time under a dentist in a general dentistry or pediatric dentistry practice. You will not be required to pass the DANB Certified Dental exam but instead provide proof of CODA accredited dental assisting program completion.
- You can check to see if your program was accredited by checking on the American Dental Association’s search page for CODA accredited programs here:
- Pathway II:
- You have not completed a CODA accredited dental assistant program, but you have been working full time (36 hours per week or more) as a dental assistant in general or pediatric dentistry practice for at least two years
. Your dentist will be required to submit verification of 3,500 hours of full-time current experience accrued over at least two years but no more than four. You will instead need to successfully pass a DANB Certified Dental Assistant exam.
I have been working as a dental assistant, and I’m interested in applying to the Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary program. I haven’t completed a dental assisting program, and all my training has been “on the job”. Am I still eligible?
Yes! Our state accreditor will allow dental assistants with at least two years, or 3500 hours of current experience accrued over at least two years but no more than four years in pediatric or general dentistry, to sit for the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) Certified Dental Assistant exam.
I attended a formal dental assisting program and received a certificate. Can I use that to establish my eligibility to be added to the waitlist?
Yes, but only if the program you attended was accredited by CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation). We can also admit students fresh out of CODA accredited dental assistant programs as well but students with experience working as dental assistants are more successful in this program.
If you’ve already graduated, we will verify your completion with your program. If you are currently enrolled, you can provide an expected graduation date for placement on the list, but you will not be admitted until you’ve completed your program.
You can use this website to check to see if your program was CODA accredited:
How are students added to the waitlist?
The waitlist is more flexible than admission to the program. We can add students on pathway I to the waitlist who have not yet completed their CODA accredited dental assistant program if we have a graduation date. The same is true for students on pathway II who have not yet completed their DANB Dental Assistant exam if we have a date students expect to take the exam. If there is space in the program, students on pathway II may be admitted to the first quarter but they are expected to complete the DANB Dental Assistant exam by the end of the quarter to progress. Complete the Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Application to be added to the waitlist. Please reach out to the program director if you have any questions.
How are students added to the program from the waitlist?
Students on pathway I with a credential from a CODA accredited dental assistant program and current work experience or students on pathway II with their completed DANB certified dental assistant exam will be prioritized.
However, students on pathway II may enter the first quarter of the program but they will be required to successfully pass the DANB Certified Dental Assistant exam before they can advance. Students who need the DANB Certified Dental Assistant exam are dropped from the program if they do not pass the exam by the end of the first quarter.
I have two years of experience, but it includes specialty dentistry. Will those hours count toward the 3500 hours of current work experience?
Unfortunately, our accreditation stipulates that the only work experience we can count toward the 3500-hour requirement is from general and/or pediatric dentistry.
I am a dental hygienist, can I apply to this program?
Unfortunately, this program is not currently accredited to teach restorative techniques to dental hygienists.
How much more will I make as an EFDA compared to a dental assistant?
On average, EFDA’s make about 30% more than dental assistants. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that a dental assistant’s hourly median wage to be $22.17 per hour. A comparable EFDA wage would be $28.72 per hour.